Wife, always thinking of me, managed to acquire a fridge sized vinyl Pil sticker. Add in a modified tap handle for a door pull and you’ve got the ultimate shop beer fridge!

Looks great eh?!

(And yes, a . . . → Read More: mmmmm beer….]]> Finished the beer fridge for the shop quite a while ago, but finally got some time to put up a pic.

Wife, always thinking of me, managed to acquire a fridge sized vinyl Pil sticker. Add in a modified tap handle for a door pull and you’ve got the ultimate shop beer fridge!

Looks great eh?!

(And yes, a Canadian tap handle on a Pil fridge works because they are both Molson brands.)

Here’s what 3 1/2 hours of work (and 3 beers) look like…

There’s a bit of scraps… think I might actually be a bit short if this is the tailings from 1 wall. . . . → Read More: Shop getting warmer. But only slightly.]]> Well, I finally got around to doing a bit more work on the shop. It’s insulation time!!

Here’s what 3 1/2 hours of work (and 3 beers) look like…

There’s a bit of scraps… think I might actually be a bit short if this is the tailings from 1 wall. meh. can always make a run to rona for another bale or two. I’m sure I’ll be short on polly as well. I just hate wasting this much stuff. but I’m not going to piece it in either.

Inspectors were happy and I’m good to go for (finishing) filling in the trench and I can start insulation and drywall.

Soon I shall have a warm and dry winter working . . . → Read More: Rough-in Inspections]]> Just passed both the Gas and Electrical rough in inspections. w00t!

Inspectors were happy and I’m good to go for (finishing) filling in the trench and I can start insulation and drywall.

Soon I shall have a warm and dry winter working wonderland! Awesome.

For the shop, I needed to trench in my gas, electrical, and data lines. To rent a trencher was going to cost me$230 for the day. Neighbor Dan has a buddy who has a mini-hoe.

I got to rent it from him for a really sweet . . . → Read More: Sure I made a mess… but it was _so_ worth it]]> Got to play with a new toy the other day.

For the shop, I needed to trench in my gas, electrical, and data lines. To rent a trencher was going to cost me$230 for the day. Neighbor Dan has a buddy who has a mini-hoe.

I got to rent it from him for a really sweet deal, and I got to keep it for a few days. I couldn’t pass up the deal, even though it came with a 16″ bucket, even though I only needed a couple of 4″ trenches. (mini hoe with a big bucket… I’m not even going to bother… the joke is too obvious) That’s a way bigger trench than I need, but the price is right, and driving a mini-hoe with a big bucket has always been a fantasy of mine (sorry… couldn’t resist after all)

Dan started the festivities, but I finally got the nerve to get behind the controls and give her a whirl. I had a lot of fun cutting the trench, even though the pictures don’t show it. We didn’t get started till just before dark on Saturday, so I had a bit more to do on Sunday. It was cold and rainy but I got it done. It saved me soooo much time and money, but I still had to do a bit by hand under the deck. I went as far under as I could reach with the machine. With Wife spotting for me, I got a few feet under and only bumped the deck once (my fault not hers…machine is a bit jumpy) I had the bucket right under the support beam and the bucket popped up and slammed it pretty good… no damage though. Oh, and I destroyed a flower pot. (I was parked backwards, and since the cab swings all the way around, pulling back on the sticks, made the machine go forward … over the pot whoops!)

I’ve got the electrical ($5/foot!!) and data lines in, just need to get the gas line in tomorrow, then I can start filling the trench back in. Hopefully I get to keep it till end of day Wednesday or Thursday. That’s a lot of clay to have to hand bomb back in the trench.

Damn that was fun.

Trusses were up at the last update, and the next step was to get the sheathing on the roof. Since most of the work was done by one . . . → Read More: Shop is @ ‘Lock up’]]> Well, it’s been a while since a shop update but that doesn’t mean we haven’t been busy. Rather, I’ve been too busy(and too tired) to get the pics online.

Trusses were up at the last update, and the next step was to get the sheathing on the roof. Since most of the work was done by one person (me!) I had to figure out a way to get the 4×8 sheats up top. Neighbor Dan told me to build a rig that you load up from the ground and then can pull the sheats up from the top… makes sense. This is what I came up with

The rig worked really well and I got the roof done in no time flat. Not bad for someone who hates heights!

Now I say most of the work was done by me. Once again Wife was integral in getting things right. To align the bottom row of sheets with the subfascia, she stood on the scaffold inside the shop, holding the sheet, while I lined it up and put a few nails in.

Once the sheating was done, the roofers came. I’m more than happy to pay guys to do this sort of work. They are fast and got it done right! If you need a roofer, just send me and email and I’ll put you in touch with a good one!

With the roof done, neighbor Dan (the sider) got going on the siding. There was even a time to take a break… Looks like grey shirts, Costco shorts, and hikers are the uniform around here… Unfortunately, my shop is cursed, and once Dano got back to work, a pump gave out on him! He didn’t fall, but ended up twisting his ankle pretty bad. That’s the second person to twist an ankle on this job site… and with Wife falling off a ladder, that makes for a cursed building I think…

Yesterday, my garage door guy came and installed the door and opener. He got me a good deal on the door, and damned if I’m ever going to wind up the springs on the door. I put in my own door once, and that was enough… Almost broke my arm when the spring slipped. While he was doing that, I got the lock on the man door. So the building can now be locked and is complete on the exterior. Well, I got a bit of painting to do on the trim yet, but it’s as good as done today.

And now, the painting is done. I had to take a break from writing this, and Mom and Wife got to work and got the rest of the trim painted. Now, I just got to wait till it’s dry and I can reattach the weather stripping to the door. But aside from that and attaching the lights, the outside is done!

I’ve also been working on the electrical. Almost all the wiring is roughed in, I just have the overhead lights to rough in, and then trench in the main from the house. I ended up cutting my finger pretty good while putting in the plug for the garage door opener today while the ladies were painting. Not sure if I need stitches yet… still waiting for the bleeding to stop. Looks like the cursed garage finally got to me…

It worked out great, I was cutting the lookout, and she was nailing them in… . . . → Read More: Wife Rocks!]]> I forgot to mention that after all the helpers left on Sunday, we still had a bunch of work to be done… Wife was not afraid to get right in there and help out… She’s may be small, but she’s tough! Amazing…

It worked out great, I was cutting the lookout, and she was nailing them in… then she cut and I did the back wall… couldn’t do it without her.

Last night we got the sub-fascia on the side walls…

Tonight is the sub-fascia on the front and rear walls…

Saturday started off with a huge breakfast with Pilsner pancakes and Spulumbo sausages. Neighbor Jay and I got to work finishing off bits that needed to be done before the trusses could go up; I needed to . . . → Read More: Updated! Trusses are up]]> Busy weekend. I was a couple guys short, but the neighborhood pitched in and helped out. Once again; great neighbours.

Saturday started off with a huge breakfast with Pilsner pancakes and Spulumbo sausages. Neighbor Jay and I got to work finishing off bits that needed to be done before the trusses could go up; I needed to secure the walls to the pad, and I didn’t have a hammer drill. I was able to put a few bolts in, but my craptastic 20 year old black and decker drill was not up to the challenge. Jay has a real hammer drill, not the DIY store version, but he didn’t have a 1/2 inch bit. I bought 1/2 inch expanding bolts, and a 1/2 in bit, but the Hitachi hammer drill takes real hammer drill bits that have splines on them, so mine wouldn’t work. Jay also had a different kind of anchor that you sink in, hit it with a punch to set it, and screw in a bolt to secure the wall. But no bolts long enough…

In a flash of brilliance, we figured out that my expanding bolts were 1/2 (Duh) and could use them upside down in his anchors and then use the nut to secure the wall. So, using Jays hammer drill and 5/8 anchors (that take a 1/2 bolt) we were able to tighten down the walls. There wasn’t much of anything else I could have done without the walls anchored so I was pretty happy that we figured it out.

Chris showed up with his hammer drill just as we got a few bolts in…. So I borrowed it, and have a few more bolts to sink yet. I’ll use my anchor bolts the ‘right way’ with his drill.

After the walls were secure, I finished nailing the corners together, and nailed the overlapping sheathing. We also had to build up the wall over the main door header and sheet that in.

Brad the welder popped by just as we were ready to lift the trusses. Awesome, a full 4 guys. (Chris was still hobbling on his ankle but that really didn’t slow him down at all!)

So the rest of the morning and 1/2 the afternoon was lifting up trusses, and flipping them up into place. I can’t remember who came up with the idea, (prolly Dan) but I cut two spacers for the trusses instead of measuring 22 1/2 each time, just put the spacer infront of the the last truss and slid the next one in place. Worked like a charm! Only out by 1/2 from front to back. Made toe nailing the trusses in a lot easier as they didn’t slide around

On Saturday we prolly got 6 trusses up, but Brad had to leave for other business, and Chris’s ankle was getting sore, so we called it an early day. We ad in impromptu garage party, couple more neighbours came over and we had a few beers.

Sunday, Dano came over and we started to get the rest of the trusses going. I called Jay and he came right over (even though he was partying till the sun was up). The plummer came over as well, and we lifted teh rest of the trusses on the walls.

Dano took on the tough job of being forman (years of experience… that man knows how to build things) and all the high ladder work. I got about three rungs up the extension ladder and just about churled… too wobbley 18 feet off the ground *shudder*

We got the rest of the trusses up by early afternoon, and the help had to leave. So, wife and I got the lookouts in, and were about to shutdown for the day just before supper time and go swimming at a friends place.

Jay needed a hand moving some gravel around, and I forgot I was helping him. I didn’t go swimming, but was able to pay back some of the sweat equity for Jay, and that was really good.

This weeks tasks are finishing the lookouts and get the sub-fascia installed, then start on the roof sheating. I also have a few more floor anchors to sink. I gotta shingle the roof this weekend.

to this

I had a ton of help, and only one minor injury… a twisted ankle

He’s on crutches, but hopefully only for a few days.

I started building the walls last weekend with Wife. I got help from a neighbour and my . . . → Read More: Arise!!!]]> It’s amazing that it only took less than two hours to go from this

to this

I had a ton of help, and only one minor injury… a twisted ankle

He’s on crutches, but hopefully only for a few days.

I started building the walls last weekend with Wife. I got help from a neighbour and my buddy Chris.

The walls went together pretty fast. It really can be a one man show with the spiker. I can’t believe I hand pounded all the nails in my previous shop. Way too much work. Two days, and the walls were built into the stack in the before picture above.

The trouble with lifting walls, is that you need a bunch of people cause 2×6, 12 foot walls are heavy! Lucky for me, I’ve got good friends and neighbours who were more than happy to lend a hand.

I did quite a bit of running around spiking in the supports, barking commands, and looking to Dano for his expertise. I didn’t come down from the adrenaline surge till after midnight. I do get fired up to the point where I’m just running around and not getting much done. But everyone put up with me

I still have to bolt the bottom plates down some more, finish the sheathing and top plate on the front, and then I’ll be ready for trusses. I was hoping to start tipping trusses first thing saturday morning, but I’ll have to deal with the front wall, first. (And bolt the bottom plates down)

Some lifting pics..

.
I’m king of the world!

I’m needing some helpers for a barn raising 8am (or so), Saturday July 21st.

I’m getting most of the garage materials on the 11th and will start to bang the walls together that weekend and then I get the trusses on the 19th.

If you are interested in . . . → Read More: ‘Lill Help?]]> Friends, Langdonians (and Calgarians), Countrymen, Lend me your ears!

I’m needing some helpers for a barn raising 8am (or so), Saturday July 21st.

I’m getting most of the garage materials on the 11th and will start to bang the walls together that weekend and then I get the trusses on the 19th.

If you are interested in lifting walls and hanging trusses (and we’ve met, or you are a friend of a friend), I’m buying the elk burgers and beers. I figure 5 helpers would help so if you can lend a hand I will gladly, and graciously take it!

Send me an email if you are interested, so I know how much food/liquids to get. Once the walls are lifted, the rest of the work will be done 12-18′ off the ground though… just so you know. There really won’t be a lot of work to do, but there is a bit of work that needs many strong hands.

I’ll be putting the walls together on the 14th, but that I can do myself or with a couple of helpers. If you want to help then, that would also be cool. Especially if you have a spiker or can operate a chop saw

Let me know if you are interested by sending the eeeeee mail.

Thanks!!

Last Thrusday, a truck rolled up about 2:30. I was supposed to get two regular size cement trucks (not sure how much they hold, but I ordered 11 meters.) but there was a mixup at the yard and they didn’t have 2 trucks available, so they sent a trailer

They usually . . . → Read More: Concrete Action!]]> Finally got the concrete for my shop!

Last Thrusday, a truck rolled up about 2:30. I was supposed to get two regular size cement trucks (not sure how much they hold, but I ordered 11 meters.) but there was a mixup at the yard and they didn’t have 2 trucks available, so they sent a trailer

They usually don’t send a trailer to residential cause they are big, hard to maneuver down narrow streets, and destroy driveways with their massive weight. I took some before and after shots of the neighbours asphalt drive just in case there was damage. Not that I could get any money from the concrete company, but just to have a record of how much damage it caused… you never know…

Lucky for me it was a cool day and not a lot of rain, so the trailer didn’t mess up mine or the neighbours drive. Cool.

The 3 man crew (plus the truck operator) got to work and it really didn’t take them long to get the concrete down. Wheelbarrow load after wheelbarrow load was dumped and raked into position. After the concrete was screeted out with a 2×4 and bull floated it looked pretty good. But when the power trowel got going it looked worse! I was warned about that… he said, “Don’t worry it will get better with more passes” And it did!

In the end, the boss showed up to survey the work. He asked if I was going to put a sealer on and I said, “I don’t know, am I going to put a sealer on?” Lucky for me they (conveniently) had a few buckets for another job, so I bought one off them… I put the sealer on right away (prolly 1/2 hour after they left). Concrete was still setting, but they said it will slow down the curing and make it stronger. (slow cure == strong concrete)

By the time the sun was going down, the sealer was dry and the floor is so shiney!

Today, I went to HardRock Development to get some NoSlip powder to add to the remaining sealer. I will put on a second coat with the NoSlip once the roof is up. It’s not all that slippery right now, but for $20, meh… better safe than on my ass.

I also bought my expanding anchor bolts at HardRock.

<sales pitch>They have pretty much everything you need there… I saw quite a few contractors in the store, so they seemed like a good place. The best part: open at 6:30 am so you can get in before work (they close at 5) </sales pitch>